Underground cables, water pipelines sought

Shimla, January 19

Over 80 representatives from different organisations and associations and NGOs today made a fervent bid for an underground power cables and water pipelines and a hassle-free smart transport for its residents to make the capital city a safe city under the Smart City Mission.

Rotary Club, residents welfare associations, HP High Court and district Bar associations, institute of engineers, Himachal Gyan-Vigyan Samiti, academicians, NGOs like Inner-wheel and rotary clubs, Helpage India and others were today part of a meeting, which was chaired by Deputy Mayor Tikender Panwar and conducted by the mission in charge and Joint Commissioner Prashant Sirckek.

Representatives suggested making Shimla a smart city by improving its water and electricity supply, transport system, parking and open spaces and parks and reading rooms for children and elderly citizens.

Sunil Grover, representing institute of engineers, said they preferred underground ducts for power cables that would rid the city of problems of snapped lines and power failures. But the funding is the main part, he said.

Dr Mamta Mokta, former president, RWA, Sector-5, and chairperson, HP university public administration, said the involvement of smart people as stakeholders would make up for the Smart City with a smart public transport. Bus stops and stands must have smart electronic screens that display time or each bus and residents must get SMS alerts on supply of water in the city, she added.

Other representatives made a strong plea for quality water supply, clean city and smooth transport. The city should be safe for women, elderly citizens and handicapped people must have accessible facilities, they pleaded.